Band Saw Safety Rules

The upper guide and guard should be set as close to the work as possible, at least within 1/4 inch.
If the band breaks, immediately shut off the power and stand clear until the machine has stopped.
Examine blade before installing to see if it is cracked, do not install a cracked blade.
Use the proper pitch blade for the thickness of the material to be cut. There should be at least 2 teeth in the material when cutting aluminum, and three teeth when cutting steel.
Check the speed table for the material that you are cutting. Do not run the band saw too fast or the blade will wear out quickly.
If the saw stalls in a cut, turn the power off and reverse the blade by hand to free it.

Safety goes beyond a set of information and rules to memorize. Safety is a culture. You live it by learning it, and learn it by living it ... so that you and others can go on living. SAFETY is very important!

Marvel Vertical Band Saw Safety Rules

Do not push the blade into the workpiece hard enough to cause the machine to chatter; slow down and find a more rigid manner in which to clamp the work in the saw.
The upper guide and guard should be set as close to the work (or machine vice) as possible, preferably within 1/4 inch. Adjust the guard with the machine turned off.
If the band breaks, immediately shut off the power and stand clear until the machine has stopped. Promptly inform the shop staff so a replacement blade can be installed.
Use the proper pitch blade for the thickness of the material to be cut. There should be at least 2 teeth in the material when cutting aluminum, and three teeth when cutting steel. If bi-metal blades (i.e. variable pitch) are used this rule of thumb is not as important.
Do not run the band saw at a higher speed than recommended for the material being cut. There is a table on the saw with recommended saw speeds for various materials; use it.
Always adjust the speed of the band saw while the machine is running. Never adjust the speed with the machine turned off.
Never cut materials that might be hardened, such as tool steel, files, hardened guideways, stainless steel etc. Any material than cannot be cut with a standard hand file should never be cut in a band saw. Use an abrasive cutoff saw instead or ask a technician.
Make sure the workpiece being cut is clamped securely before turning on the saw. Failure to do so will result in the cutting force dislodging the work from the vice and breaking the saw blade. When clamping pieces that are shorter than 10” it is necessary to find another piece of material the same width which can be clamped in the other half of the vice, allowing the vice to close and clamp evenly. This will be explained in further detail during equipment training.
Always bring the blade into contact with the material before engaging the automatic power feed. The proper procedure is as follows: (1) firmly clamp the workpiece in the vice; (2) turn on the saw so the blade is rotating; (3) adjust the coolant if necessary; (4) gently bring the moveable saw blade into light contact with the workpiece by rotating the manual feed wheel; (5) engage the automatic feed. Remember to disengage the power feed after the workpiece has been cut, before turning off the saw.
Never leave the machine unattended when the saw is running.

Table Saw Safety Rules

Special training is required before using the table saw. You may not operate it without permission from a shop technician.
Stand to one side, never directly in line with, of work being fed through the saw.
Use the proper blade for the material and type of cut. Do not use a rip blade for cross cutting, or, a crosscut blade for rip sawing. Do not use a plywood blade for anything but plywood.
Inspect the blade before using it, to make sure it is the proper blade and is sharp and free from cracks.
Never allow your fingers to get near the blade when sawing. Use a pusher stick to rip narrow pieces of stock. Don't use pusher stick to remove scrap. For scrap removal, shut off machine and wait until blade stops, then remove scraps.
Appropriate guards must be in place at all times. Never remove the guard. Ask one of the shop personnel for help if you think the guard is in the way.
If the piece of material you are cutting is large, get someone to assist in tailing-off for you. Never try to do it alone. Tailing off refers to supporting a large workpiece by supporting it underneath with your hands.
If you are tailing-off for someone else let them guide the work through the saw. You should just support the work without influencing the cut.
Never reach over the saw to obtain something from the other side.
When shutting off the power, never attempt to stop the saw quickly by shoving anything against the blade. Make sure the saw has stopped before leaving it.
Never make any adjustments to the saw while it is running. Turn off the power and make sure the saw is completely stopped before attempting to adjust it.
Do not allow material to collect on or around the saw table. Sweep up sawdust and material scraps regularly while working to minimize chances of slipping or stumbling.
Make sure that you clean up thoroughly around the saw before leaving the area. If you don't you could be the cause of someone else having an accident.
The circular blade of the table saw should be set to 1/8 inch above the work.